Canada Minister Calls for Restraint after Tibetan Protesters Fired upon

April 8, 2008

By Matthew Little
Epoch Times
Apr 06, 2008

Maxime Bernier, Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, released a
statement on Saturday calling on the Chinese authorities to exercise
restraint in Tibet after reports that Chinese soldiers fired on hundreds
of protesters.

"Canada expresses grave concern with reports of security forces firing
on, and allegedly killing, eight civilians in the Tibetan region of
Garze in western China," read the statement.

"Canada strongly urges the Government of China to show restraint and
allow for peaceful protest. Canada also reiterates its call for dialogue
between the Government of China and the Dalai Lama or his designated
representatives."

Reports coming out of Tibet allege paramilitary troops of the People's
Armed Police and Public Security Bureau fired on hundreds of protesters
in Tongkor monastery in Ganzi (Garze) Prefecture in Sichuan Province
Thursday night.

Eight monks are reported to have been killed. Reports say the protesters
were angered when a government inspection team attempted to confiscate
pictures of the Dalai Lama.